Chunsta Miller says retail is in her blood. For 21 years, she worked for Belk in various capacities, most recently as the store manager in Greenwood. Now, the Spartanburg native is the general manager of the Anderson Mall.

Miller's job now is primarily to serve as the mall's "good will ambassador" through community outreach.

"My job is bringing the community together," Miller said. "It's really looking at what our community needs as a whole, and what we can provide and how we can really get in touch with bringing families back to our center. We're looking at changing from what we know of today as a shopping center, to really making it a diverse entertainment destination — a place where families ... and the college kids want to hang out."

Miller, 39, isn't nervous about the fate of shopping malls, despite a 2017 Credit Suisse study that predicted up to 25 percent of America's malls closing by 2022. It's all about staying relevant for Miller. Her vision for Anderson Mall is much more about the experience of shopping, being entertained and building community.

She and her team created a gift basket of ideas that represent all the additions she wants to bring in within the next few years to the Anderson Mall. The basket was given to Louis Conforti, CEO of Washington Prime Group, which owns the Anderson Mall. The ideas include a STEM-based play area for small children, new restaurants, a larger socializing and game area for adults, sip and shop events, a fire pit and outdoor seating, among other things.

"As the world changes, we change," Miller said. "And I think we have to make sure that we are creating that atmosphere where we're bringing people in."

“[Miller] is an accomplished leader with an outstanding record of community engagement and extensive retail experience," said Greg Fleser, regional vice president for Washington Prime Group, Anderson Mall's parent group in a press release. "[Miller] brings the skills, leadership and commitment to build upon Anderson Mall’s appeal and presence within the Anderson community.”

Chunsta Miller, General Manager for the Anderson Mall, talks about bringing more excitement and activity for shoppers. (Photo: Ken Ruinard / staff)

Partnerships and conversations with the City of Anderson, Anderson County and the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce are already in the works. Her goal is to have everyone involved see "the vision" of where she wants to take Anderson Mall. Not because she thinks it's lacking, but because to her, the possibilities for community engagement are endless.

After more than 20 years working for Belk, Miller said she wasn't planning for a career change when this opportunity came around. But she "stepped out on faith" to pursue it because of the opportunity to be able to do more in her community.

She also was enticed by the opportunity to learn new skills. She said she's already learning more about getting sponsorships, leasing and real estate.

Miller is the mall's first woman and first black person to manage the mall. She said that speaks to the commitment that Washington Prime has to diversity and inclusion.

"I think the world is changing, and I think our company wants to be at the front of that change, so that makes me feel proud," Miller said. "I think it's a long time coming for Anderson, so I'm excited not only as a woman, but as an African-American to be here to show that our mall represents diversity. We represent all types, not just one. ... We welcome everybody, and that's what our community is about. That's the feeling that we want to exude when people shop here."